Places / Rocky Mountain National Park
UV index at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Check another placeLoading today’s UV…
- Low 0 to 2
- Moderate 3 to 5
- High 6 to 7
- Very high 8 to 10
- Extreme 11+
Hour-by-hour numbers
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|
The next few days
Each day’s UV curve and peak, drawn on the same scale so you can compare. The forecast reaches roughly four days ahead.
What to do today
About Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park starts around Estes Park at about 7,500 feet (2,300 m) and climbs to alpine tundra above 12,000 feet. Much of the hiking is already high enough to add meaningfully to your UV.
Elevation and your real UV
The forecast on this page covers the general area around Rocky Mountain National Park. Weather models don’t resolve individual peaks and valleys, so treat it as the level of Estes Park (about 7,500 ft). The WHO says UV rises by 10% to 12% for every 1,000 metres you climb. Using that rule of thumb:
| Place | Elevation | Compared with baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Estes Park | 2,293 m (about 7,500 ft) | Baseline |
| Bear Lake | 2,890 m (about 9,500 ft) | about 6% to 7% more UV |
| Trail Ridge Road high point | 3,713 m (12,183 ft) | about 14% to 17% more UV |
| Longs Peak | 4,346 m (14,259 ft) | about 21% to 25% more UV |
Read the peak UV from the chart above, then adjust it up for where you’ll actually be. There’s a worked example in UV at altitude, on snow and under clouds.
When UV is strongest here
Summer is the main hiking season, and high trails can hold snow into early summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are common on summer afternoons, so hikers start early to be off high ground by midday. That also puts you in the sun before the strongest UV.
On the trail
Below treeline the forest gives dappled shade. Above roughly 11,000 to 11,500 feet there is no shade at all, only tundra, rock and snowfields, and the air is thin. Lakes and lingering snow reflect UV up at you.
Sun protection tips for Rocky Mountain National Park
- Take an alpine start, and treat the exposed sections above treeline as the part of the day to cover up completely.
- Bring sunglasses with side shields if snowfields are on your route in early summer.
- Thin, dry air dries lips quickly. Use SPF lip balm.
- Storm-driven early starts mean you often descend in bright sun. Reapply at your summit break.
Similar places
Related guides
- What to Wear Hiking for Sun Protection: A Practical Guide
- UV at Altitude, Snow and Clouds: Why You Burn Faster
- When Is UV Strongest During the Day? Best Times to Hike
Elevations are rounded published figures. UV forecasts are model estimates for the area and can differ from what you experience on the ground. This is general information about sun safety and isn’t medical advice. Last updated September 20, 2026.